Neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants: theoretical and epidemiological perspectives to guide shared-care decision-making

Although births below 28 completed weeks' of gestation contribute to less than 1% of all preterm births globally, the impact of extreme prematurity (EPT) on neurodevelopmental outcomes across the life-course is disproportionately large. Higher rates and increased severity of neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs) are reported among extremely preterm infants (EPIs). Cognitive skills, motor skills (manifesting as cerebral palsy) and vision are most commonly affected, with effects pervasive throughout school, adolescence and early adulthood. In addition, poorer academic outcomes and higher rates of psychiatric morbidity are seen among EPTs. Consistent improvements in EPI survival in recent years has not been matched with improvements in neurodevelopmental outcomes, especially for those born at less than 25 gestational weeks. However, over the last 20 years, several national and cross-national cohort studies have helped advance our understanding of extreme prematurity's developmental and life-course consequences. Here we provide an overview of the key findings from 13 multi-centre cohorts measuring neurodevelopmental outcomes and discuss the theoretical and epidemiological perspectives of NDIs in the context of extreme prematurity to guide communication with families and shared care decision-making.     

Factors influencing the rating of sonographer students’ clinical performance

IntroductionLittle is known about the factors influencing clinical supervisor-assessors’ ratings of sonographer students’ performance. This study identifies these influential factors and relates them to professional competency standards, with the aim of raising awareness and improving assessment practice.MethodsThis study used archived written comments from 94 clinical assessors describing 174 sonographer students’ performance one month into their initial clinical practice (2015–6). Qualitative mixed method analysis revealed factors influencing assessor ratings of student performance and provided an estimate of the valency, association, and frequency of these factors.ResultsAssessors provided written comments for 93 % (n = 162/174) of students. Comments totaled 7190 words (mean of 44 words/student). One-third of comment paragraphs were wholly positive, two-thirds were equivocal. None were wholly negative. Thematic analysis revealed eleven factors, and eight sub-factors, influencing assessor impressions of five dimensions of performance. Of the factors mentioned, 84.6 % (n = 853/1008) related to professional competencies. While 15.4 % (n = 155/1008) were unrelated to competencies, instead reflecting humanistic factors such as student motivation, disposition, approach to learning, prospects and impact on supervisor and staff. Factors were prioritised and combined independently, although some associated.ConclusionClinical assessors formed impressions based on student performance, humanistic behaviours and personal qualities not necessarily outlined in educational outcomes or professional competency standards. Their presence, and interrelations, impact success in clinical practice, through their contribution to, and indication of, competence.Implications for practiceSonographer student curricula and assessor training should raise awareness of the factors influencing performance ratings and judgement of clinical competence, particularly the importance of humanistic factors. Inclusion of narrative comments, multiple assessors, and broad performance dimensions would enhance clinical assessment of sonographer student performance.     

Evaluation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in the management of tinnitus. An observational study

ObjectivesTinnitus can induce disabling psychological suffering, requiring an integrative multimodal approach, combining neuromodulation and psychotherapeutic methods. We sought to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and acceptability of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in tinnitus.Materials and methodsThis was a single-center prospective non-comparative study. Inclusion criteria comprised: adult patient, with chronic tinnitus, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score > 17, causing psychological distress motivating active treatment after ineffective “classic” treatment (combining advice, sound therapy and first-line drug treatment), and agreement to EMDR therapy. Therapeutic efficacy was defined by a decrease in THI or Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Treatment acceptability was defined by the rate of included patients who completed therapy.ResultsThirty-eight patients were included. There was a significant reduction of 53.5% in THI score in 78.9% of patients (P < 0.0001; 64.8 ± 20.8 before versus 31.8 ± 24.7 after treatment), and of 51% in VAS score in 76.3% of patients (P < 0.0001; 7.24 ± 2.12 before versus 3.58 ± 2.03 after treatment). The treatment acceptability was 86.8%.ConclusionEMDR appeared to be an effective alternative that was acceptable to the majority of patients, after failure of “classic” first-line treatment, improving quality of life in tinnitus patients and thus relieving disability.     

乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者自我管理体验的质性研究

目的 了解乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者自我管理中的体验和感受，为临床制订解决方案提供参考。 方法 采用质性研究方法对15例乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者进行半结构式访谈，采用Colaizzi7步分析法分析资料。 结果 提炼出6个主题，包括缺乏自我管理知识、思想上未引起足够重视、管理方式的差异化、自我管理过程中存在诸多障碍、自我管理中的情绪问题和社会支持不足。 结论 乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿患者在自我管理过程中存在较多问题，医护人员应帮助患者纠正对疾病的错误认知及处理方式，树立良好的自我管理行为与习惯，重视患者由自我管理产生的心理问题，联合家庭和社会共同提高患者的自我管理能力。     

Big Five and psychological and subjective well-being in Colombian older adults

The goal of the current study was to investigate the relationships between the Five Factor Model of personality and the dimensions of subjective well-being (positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction), and psychological well-being (self-acceptance, personal growth, environmental mastery, autonomy, positive relations with others, and purpose in life). Participants included 618 Colombian adults aged 60–92 years. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Regarding the subjective well-being, neuroticism was associated with lower scores on life satisfaction, and positively associated with negative affect, whereas extroversion and conscientiousness were associated with higher scores on life satisfaction and positive affect. For psychological well-being, neuroticism showed a negative and significant association with all of the psychological well-being dimensions, except purpose in life, whereas extroversion and conscientiousness showed a significant and positive relationship with the six dimensions. Neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness represent personality predispositions for general well-being. Extraversion and conscientiousness are predictors of optimal aging. Neuroticism was the only significant predictor of negative affect.     

江苏地区1260名精神科女护士主观幸福感的调查研究

目的 了解江苏地区精神专科医院临床女护士主观幸福感的现状及影响因素,为提高精神专科医院的管理水平提供参考依据。方法 采用中文版的“总体幸福感量表”和自制的“一般情况调查表”对江苏省不同地区的6所精神专科医院1260名女护士进行调查。 结果 被调查对象主观幸福感前18项总分为(67.89±14.09)分,处于中等幸福感49～72分之间,但显著低于全国女性常模(71.00±18.00)分,两者比较,t =-2.768,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)；经回归分析,其主要影响因素有对职业伤害的担心程度、家庭的支持程度、收入状况、医院支持系统的满意度,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论 江苏地区的精神科女护士主观幸福感总体处于中等水平但显著低于全国女性常模,提高其主观幸福感可以从减少精神科护士的职业伤害、关注家庭方面影响、建立合理的薪酬体系和高效的医院支持系统4个方面努力。     

Effect of regular swimming exercise to duration-intensity on neurocognitive function in cerebral infarction rat model

Objective: This study investigated the effect of regular swimming exercise according to the duration-intensity on neurocognitive function in a cerebral infarction rat model.

Methods: Forty male Sprague–Dawley 10-week-old rats, weighing 300 ± 50 g, were subjected to photothrombotic cerebral infarction. The remaining 36 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 9 per group: non-exercise (group A); swimming exercise of short duration-intensity (5 min/day, group B); swimming exercise of moderate duration-intensity (10 min/day, group C); and swimming exercise of long duration-intensity (20 min/day, group D). Exercise was performed five times a week for 4 weeks, beginning the day after cerebral infarction. Neurocognitive function was evaluated with the Morris water maze test. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis examined brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 4 weeks postinfarction.

Results: At 4 weeks postinfarction, escape latency was found to be shorter in group C than in any of groups A, B, or D. Immunohistochemistry revealed the most significant immunoreactivity for BDNF and VEGF in group C. Western blot analysis demonstrated that BDNF and VEGF proteins were markedly expressed in group C.

Conclusions: Regular swimming exercise of moderate duration-intensity may be the most effective exercise protocol for the recovery of neurocognitive function in cerebral infarction rat model.     

Spouse's subjective social status predicts older adults’ prospective cognitive functioning

Objectives: The current study aims to investigate the association between subjective social status (SSS) and prospective cognitive functioning of older adults and their spouses, and to explore the potential mediating roles of health habits and physical activities in this association.

Method: Using the longitudinal data of 512 pairs of community-dwelling older couples aged 65–91 years (M = 72.2 ± 4.6), we tested the effects of SSS in cognitive functioning using an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. SSS was measured by a self-anchoring social ladder, and cognitive functioning was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination at baseline and 4-year follow-up. Socioeconomic status (i.e. education) was tested as a moderator, and physical activity (measured by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) as well as health habits (i.e. tobacco and alcohol consumption) were included as potential mediators.

Results: A partner effect of SSS was found only in the low-education group, in which the wife's higher level of SSS in the community was associated with the husband's better cognitive functioning in the follow-up. A small proportion of this effect was found to be partially mediated by participation in housework, such that the wife's higher SSS was associated with the husband's increased housework activity, which was related to higher prospective cognitive functioning.

Conclusion: By examining the dyadic effects of SSS with a longitudinal design, our findings extended the understanding on how subjective social status influenced older couples’ cognitive health, and provided evidence-based insights for future studies on cognitive health in later life.